VOA Oregon – General Questions

• This innovative partnership will provide VOA Oregon with modern, accessible facilities to better serve clients with behavioral and mental health disorders.
• For MCJU, student interns will be able to get hands-on experience in a behavioral health environment.

VOA Oregon has signed a lease agreement with MCJU to utilize both Memorial Hall and the Ambassador Apartments.

• There will be a phased occupancy of these facilities beginning in mid-October.
• The target move date for residents (women and children) to MCJU is October 28, but several details need to be worked out to meet this planned date.
• VOA Oregon has hired a project manager – Eleva, who we have been consulting with for SHIFT, to assist VOA Oregon in planning logistics for the move.

• MCJU offers the ideal location to support VOA Oregon’s mission. For MCJU, this partnership is part of their broader vision to live out their calling by leveraging their property and resources to serve the community in meaningful ways.
• Residential treatment for women with children actively aligns with MCJU’s mission to engage with the world, address pressing community needs, and provide students with opportunities to apply their faith through service and hands-on learning in a behavioral health setting. This timing reflects a shared vision for creating transformational change that serves both the community and the educational environment.
• Educational and other resources may also be extended to VOA Oregon staff and clients, though details have yet to be worked out.

Both institutions intend this partnership to be longstanding. MCJU’s campus is adjacent to VOA Oregon’s property, which will one day be developed, and which could provide additional partnership opportunities.

We continue to explore partnerships that enhance the mission of both organizations.

• With VOA Oregon’s focus on addressing family safety, substance use, behavioral health and reentry from the criminal justice system, the intention is to support and empower members of our community on their journey to health and wellness.
• Both institutions are committed to being good neighbors, and through our programs and services, exemplifying a shared dedication to behavioral and mental health, cultural engagement, and developing leaders who will impact society in meaningful ways.

We intend to develop a partnership that is mutually beneficial, where students can gain meaningful experience in a behavioral health setting, fostering educational growth, service opportunities and future opportunities for possible employment.

Our intent is to share this partnership news with the surrounding neighborhood and greater community through media outlets and invitations to neighborhood town halls.

• It will expand access to critical behavioral health services for women in recovery, creating a positive impact on their lives and the overall health of the community.
• The partnership provides a more centralized and accessible location for those in need of services, improving outreach and community engagement.
• By collaborating with a higher education institution, VOA Oregon programs will have access to additional resources such as research, training, and student involvement, enhancing the quality of care.
• The move will create new opportunities for education and awareness around behavioral health and recovery within the local community, reducing stigma and promoting mental wellness.
• It will stimulate local economic growth by creating jobs, internships, and volunteer opportunities connected to the residential treatment program.

• It sets a precedent for innovative, cross-sector partnerships that address critical social challenges, such as addiction, by repurposing excess housing for community benefit.
• Partnerships like this can serve as a model for other institutions, encouraging similar collaborations that strengthen social services and improve public health outcomes.
• The program helps build a stronger safety net for vulnerable populations, contributing to Portland’s efforts to tackle issues related to homelessness, mental health, and substance abuse.
• By bringing treatment programs into the heart of the city, it integrates recovery services into the fabric of the community, fostering a more supportive and compassionate environment.

• No, VOA Oregon will not own any part of the MCJU campus at this time.
• VOA Oregon will operate its residential treatment program for women and children on the campus through a lease agreement with Jessup University.
• The arrangement allows VOA Oregon to use the space while maintaining flexibility and focusing resources on delivering services rather than property ownership.

• This collaboration bridges education and healthcare, creating a model where academic resources and behavioral health services work together to serve the community.
• It offers a unique opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience and internships in a real-world behavioral healthcare setting.
• The partnership brings behavioral health services to an accessible location, providing a supportive environment for both residents and the university community.
• It emphasizes the shared values of education, community service, and holistic support, making it a pioneering effort in addressing complex social issues like addiction and mental health treatment.

• In response to the financial challenges many colleges are facing, this partnership repurposes excess housing in a way that benefits both the educational institution and the greater community.
• It represents a growing trend where higher education institutions collaborate with nonprofit and healthcare organizations to maximize their impact and adapt to changing needs.
• This kind of innovative partnership highlights the potential for creative solutions to campus closures, providing sustainable uses for college infrastructure while addressing critical community needs.
• Multnomah University recently joined in a strategic partnership with Jessup University and is now Multnomah Campus of Jessup University (MCJU).

• Yes, there will be a formal announcement to mark the partnership, involving leadership from both Jessup University and Volunteers of America Oregon.
• Community town halls and media engagement are being planned to introduce the innovative partnership.
• Information sessions for MCJU students and staff will also be planned.